Clermont-Ferrand is located in the middle of France in Auvergne region. The city is famous for the chain of volcanoes (extinct for 12,000 years) surrounding it, the Chaîne des Puys.
The Puy-de-Dôme (13km from the city) is the highest peak of the district and well-known for the telecommunication antennas that sit on its top and are visible from far away. It is built largely of the dark volcanic rock of the region.
The gothic cathedral of Notre-Dame is the most visible and famous building in the city.
Clermont-Ferrand was the first French town twinned with Salford, on 15 May 1966 thanks to the involvement and enthusiasm of Jack Goldberg.
This Second World War former soldier believed in the' European democracy' based on 'friendship between people'. As soon as he was elected councillor in 1956 at Salford City Council, he looked for a European town to be twinned with Salford, many British towns had already twinned.
Clermont-Ferrand suitably corresponded to his criteria. He began correspondence with the French Mayor, Mr Gabriel Montpied. After their first meeting failed in 1962 in the Council of European Municipalities in Vienna, they agreed formally to a meeting and met again in 1966. Then, in 1967, even after he was retired, he had been invited to join the first English delegation to visit Clermont-Ferrand.
The Salford-Clermont-Ferrand Twinning Committee meets every month at Salford City Council.
Its meetings are open to all who want to contribute to town twinning in Salford.
In the meetings of the town twinning forum, the Clermont-Ferrand Association member is Steve Fletcher.
If you want to learn more about our links with Clermont-Ferrand or find out about a particular event, please contact membersservices@salford.gov.uk.